Somersault vehicle



Sept. 2, 1969 P. F. FISHER SOMERSAULT VEHICLE Filed Sept. 18, 1967 //VVEN7'0/-? PETER FFISHER United States Patent Othce 3,464,718 Patented Sept. 2, 1969 3,464,718 SOMERSAULT VEHICLE Peter F. Fisher, 10391 SW. 64th Ave., Miami, Fla. 33156 Filed Sept. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 668,398 Int. Cl. F16c 17/00; A63g 29/00 US. Cl. 280206 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to amusement devices and is more particularly directed to a somersault apparatus.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a somersault apparatus which does not require any outside forces to commence rolling the somersault apparatus which in fact is capable of being rolled by the body movements of a person positioned within the apparatus whether on a fiat surface, on rollers or on an upgrade from a standing position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a somersault apparatus which will sustain its rotational movement as long as the person positioned in the apparatus continues his rhythmical and cyclical body movements.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a somersault apparatus that can be made to rotate either forwardly or rearwardly with relation to the person positioned in the apparatus and can be made to stop readily by merely reversing the body movements that brought about the particular rotational motion of the somersault apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a somersault apparatus that is simple in construction, pleasant and easy to operate and which is recreational as well as enervating to the user thereof.

With these and other objects in View, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a somersault ap paratus constructed in accordance with my invention.

FIGURES 2-6 inclusive are side elevational views illustrating the body movements required of a person to effect a single cycle of rotation.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral refers to my somersault apparatus consisting of a pair of rings or hoops 11 of metal tubing mounted in spaced and parallel relation approximately two to three feet apart if the device is for use by a single adult person and proportionately less distance apart for children. If a tandem apparatus for two persons is intended, the hoops 11 will be situated as much as four feet apart. The diameter of the hoops 11 depends upon the height of the user thereof, it being determined that the most effective use of the somersault apparatus is obtained when the person using it is approximately 18 inches taller than the diameter of the hoops 11.

Extending between the hoops 11 and welded or otherwise fastened to the inside surfaces thereof is a platform 12 upon which a person places his feet. Almost diametrically opposed to the platform 12 and extending between the hoops 11 is a back support consisting of a rigid member 13 on the inner surface of which is a foam rubber or otherwise cushioned material 14 against which the user of the apparatus 10 bears during a cycle of rotation of the device 10 as it explained in detail hereinafter. A hand rail 15 which is positioned on the hoops 11 between the platform 12 and back support 13 has its ends welded to the hoops 11 and extends between the hoops 11 inwardly thereof so that a person can grasp the hand rail 15 without bruising his knuckles as the apparatus 10 rolls over a pavement. To further strengthen the apparatus 10, a plurality of cross members or braces 16 extend between the hoops 11.

In the normal use of my somersault apparatus 10, the device is rolled until the platform 12 is nearest the pavement as shown by FIGURE 2. A person then steps into the apparatus 10 places one foot ahead of the other on the midportion of the platform 12, grasps the handrail 15 and crouches as shown by FIGURE 2. The apparatus 10 is at this time motionless and the operator is ready to commence his rolling action. He quickly leans forwardly as he bends his elbows to bring his arms close to his body as he simultaneously exerts a downward force with his forwardmost foot to the position illustrated by FIGURE 3. The apparatus 10 now commences to rotate as the forces caused by the shifting of the persons body and application of a downward pressure by the forwardmost foot are unbalanced within the hoops 11 being predominant in the forward half thereof.

After the apparatus 10 has started to roll forwardly, at approximately the position shown by FIGURE 4, the operator extends his legs and straightens his arms with his back moving in the direction of the back support 14. This movement shifts the weight of the operator into the forward part of the apparatus to continue to maintain an unbalanced force in favor of the forward half of the apparatus, which force continues the forward roll of the apparatus 10. Movement of the operators back continues until it bears against the back support 14 as illustrated by FIGURE 5. The rotation of the apparatus 10 continues until shortly before the hoops 11 have made one complete revolution when the position shown by FIGURE 6 is reached. At this time, the operator commences the cycle of operation as at the start of the rotation of the apparatus 10 as shown by FIGURE 2 when he leans forwardly, bending his elbows and knees and exerting an outward force with his forwardmost foot. The cycle of operation by the operator continues as the apparatus 10 rolls forwardly and the operator performs somersaults within the apparatus 10. It is to be noted that the experienced user of my somersault apparatus 10 starts rotating the apparatus 10 from a still position and does not have to rock the apparatus 10 back and forth to first get up momentum in initiating the rolling action. Also, the proper timing as to when the operator moves from the crouching forwardly bending position to the extended and backwardly leaning position depends upon the agility and experience of the operator and the result thereof determines the speed at which my somersault apparatus 10 attains.

My somersault apparatus 10 may be made to rotate in a reverse direction by merely reversing the order of the action of the operator. For example, starting from the balanced position shown by FIGURE 2, the operator extends his legs, straightens his arms to assume the position shown by FIGURE 6 with his back moving in the direction of the back support and exerts a downward force with his rearmost foot. The weight of the operator is now unbalanced in favor of the rear half of the apparatus 10, thus commences to rotate rearwardly. When the operators back is brought to bear against the back support at the position of the apparatus 10 as shown by FIGURE 6, the apparatus 10 will be rotating rapidly and will continue to the position now shown by FIGURE when the operator will lean forwardly, moving away from the back support 14 bending his knees and his elbows to assume the position shown by FIGURE 3. The apparatus will have completed a single revolution and the cycle of operation by the user is now repeated. It is obvious that the operator can come to a halted position at any time by merely reversing the action he is then taking. Also, my somersault apparatus 10 is capable of being rolled uphill provided the operator is suificiently dexterous and experienced in the operation of my device 10.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Somersault apparatus comprising a pair of hoops mounted in spaced and parallel relation to each other, said hoops being substantially shorter in diameter than the height of a person using said apparatus and spaced apart a distance not less than the radius of said hoops, a foot platform extending between said hoops having edge portions following the contour of said hoops and being secured to the inner circumference of said hoops for supporting said person using said apparatus, a back support extending between said hoops, said back support being flat laterally, having edge portions following the contour of said hoops and being secured to the inner circumference of said hoops, resilient means mounted on said back support, said back support being in substantially diametrically opposed relation with said foot platform, and a recessed hand rail extending between said hoops at a position between said foot platform and said back support, said hand rail lying within the confines of said apparatus whereby the person grasping said handrail Will not injure his hands as the apparatus rolls over a payment and cross members extending between said hoops providing rigidity to said apparatus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,521,133 12/1924 Tinker 280-206 1,676,015 7/1928 Feick 280-206 1,829,266 10/1931 Drew et al. 280-206 3,066,951 12/1962 Gray 280-206 3,076,666 2/1963 Geiser 280-206 3,334,915 8/1967 Sulyma et a1 280-206 3,371,943 3/1968 Turgetto 280-206 KENNETH H. BETTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

